Press Release

Release Date: February 14, 2018

by Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

AICCM Land Development, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation, closed today with Oklahoma City on the acquisition of more than 100 acres of the undeveloped land surrounding the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum. The parties’ completing the real estate transaction pursuant to their agreement of August 2017 marks an important step forward in building and opening the AICCM.

The legal and realty work necessary for the closing required a close collaboration between the Chickasaw Nation and Oklahoma City officials, according to Bill Lance, Secretary of Commerce for the Chickasaw Nation.

“We sincerely appreciate the open and frank dialogue with representatives of the City of Oklahoma City as we worked through the complex due diligence phase of the project. The property rights and environmental concerns required more thorough reviews due to the unusual nature of the original platting and the fact this land is along the Oklahoma River. We are excited to move forward on the next phase and continuing our dialogue with city officials as we firm up development plans that complement the comprehensive plans for the museum.”

Closing on the property will enable the Chickasaw Nation subsidiary to begin development of the commercial property, ideally to coincide with completion of AICCM construction.

Completion of the AICCM is the culmination of a process which had its beginnings in a 1986 Price Waterhouse study to recommend strategies for increased tourism to improve the state’s economy.

That study led to a widely-supported recommendation to build a world class American Indian heritage museum and marketplace for Native American art. In 1994, Senator Robert Kerr and Senator Kelly Haney filed Senate Bill 746, which established the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby is the current chairman of the Board of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority.

“This is another important milestone in our journey to fulfill the vision of a world-class facility which will tell the powerful and significant story of Native Americans in Oklahoma,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “We appreciate all the leaders of Oklahoma City, the State of Oklahoma and others who share our belief that investment in the cultural center and surrounding development will offer great returns in the form of educational benefits as well as economic development. We appreciate our supporters across the state who continue to share our vision of a world-class facility which will tell the story of Native Americans in Oklahoma while serving as hub for tourism, economic development and job creation.”